Verbenaceae

Lantana montevidensis

Common Names: Creeping lantana

Plant Form: Sprawling shrub. Size: Up to 1 m tall and 4 m wide. Stem: Square-shaped, thin, weak, without prickles. Forming dense mats. Leaves: In opposite pairs on stem, oval shaped with pointed tips and serrated edges. Fragrant when crushed. Flowers: Pink or purple with white or yellow centres. In clusters 1-4 cm wide. Fruit and Seeds: 6-8 mm long, green ripening to reddish-purple, with single straw-coloured seed. Habitat: Forests, woodlands, riverbanks, rocky hills. Distinguishing Features: Lacks the thorns and growth height of Lantana (Lantana camara). Impacts: Replaces native vegetation, forms dense thickets, reduce biodiversity, toxic.